Transport CanadaHigh Risk
At a glance
What can fail
Front brake hoses can fail and leak brake fluid, causing a softer brake pedal with longer travel and reduced braking power. The brake warning light turns on when this occurs.
This page covers 14 recalls, 120 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Lincoln Mkz.
21–38 mpg combined
6.2–11.2 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Steering and electrical issues dominate what 2013 Lincoln MKZ owners report. On the steering side, the most common complaint is a sudden "power steering assist failure" warning accompanied by the wheel going stiff, often mid-turn or at lower speeds. The electrical system draws the second-highest complaint volume, with owners describing a range of glitches: backup camera images that flip, distort, or go black entirely; key fobs and door locks failing to respond; and blind-spot monitoring dropping out unexpectedly. Powertrain complaints round out the top three, though at a somewhat lower volume. One isolated report describes an electric shock felt through the driver's seat during adjustment, traced to a short in the seat motor, that detail stands alone and doesn't reflect a broader pattern in this complaint set. The steering assist failure warning appearing without prior indication is the single most consistently described symptom across these reports.
120
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Lincoln MKZ has 14 recalls, the most serious involving the transmission shifting out of Park without the brake pedal being pressed, which can allow the vehicle to roll away unexpectedly. Note that this particular issue only affects hybrid models. Front brake hoses are also a significant concern: they can rupture and leak brake fluid, increasing pedal travel and extending stopping distance. Door latches appear across several recalls, with an internal component that can break and leave a door appearing closed when it is not, allowing it to swing open while driving. Prior repair attempts on some affected vehicles did not fully resolve the latch issue, prompting a follow-up recall. On the steering side, corrosion on the electric power steering motor's mounting bolts can cause the motor to detach from the gear housing, making the wheel noticeably harder to turn, especially at low speeds. Seatbelt pretensioners in a crash can generate enough heat to sever the front seat belt anchor cable, reducing the belt's ability to restrain the occupant. Vehicles equipped with an engine block heater have a cord whose insulation can crack in extreme cold, exposing live wiring and creating a shock risk. Replacement headlamps sold for this vehicle can produce an incorrect beam pattern and fail to illuminate side markers, reducing visibility at night.
At a glance
What can fail
Front brake hoses can fail and leak brake fluid, causing a softer brake pedal with longer travel and reduced braking power. The brake warning light turns on when this occurs.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Ford will mail you a notification to bring your vehicle to a dealership where technicians will replace the front brake hoses.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front brake hoses at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A door latch component may break, making doors hard to close or allowing doors to appear closed when they're actually unsecured.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect door latches and replace them if needed at no cost. Owners can also check latch date codes online to verify if repair was done correctly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
These replacement headlamps may produce an incorrect light beam pattern, aim improperly to the side, fail to light the side markers, and lack required DOT markings.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the headlamps at no cost. Ford will instruct dealers to return defective headlamps and not install them.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Road salt and contaminants can corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts, potentially causing them to break or loosen.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts, apply wax sealer to protect them, and install a new steering gear if bolts are broken or missing.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A part inside the door latches can break, making doors hard to close or letting you think a door is shut when it actually isn't.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all four door latches at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During a crash, heat from the seat belt pretensioner deploying may cause the front seat belt anchor cable to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Snow and water containing road salt may corrode the bolts that attach the electric power steering motor, potentially causing them to break or loosen.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply sealer and replace the steering motor bolts. If bolts are broken or missing, the entire steering gear will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In salt-road areas, corrosion can weaken the bolts holding the steering gear motor in place. The motor may detach, causing sudden loss of power-assisted steering and triggering warning lights.
What the fix does
Dealers will seal and replace the steering gear motor attachment bolts. If bolts are broken or missing, the entire steering gear will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A component in the door latches may break, making doors hard to close or causing them to appear securely closed when they are not.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all four door latches with improved parts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission can shift out of PARK without you pressing the brake pedal, which could cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly and lead to a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission range sensor to restore proper brake-pedal control over shifting.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission range sensor may malfunction, allowing the vehicle to shift out of Park without pressing the brake pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module software at no charge to restore proper sensor function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater cord can bend during use. In certain temperatures, the wire insulation may crack, exposing the electrical wires inside.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater cord at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The insulation on the engine block heater power cord can crack or tear when handled during very cold weather (below -20°C), creating a risk of electrical shock.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the engine block heater power cord with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
